Convertible electrical device cover having removable tabs with offset grooves

ABSTRACT

A convertible electrical device cover including a base plate and an adapter plate that are both configured to accommodate an electrical device. When the convertible electrical device cover is placed in an operative position over the electrical device the adapter plate may be located between the electrical device and a rear side of the base plate. A method for installing a convertible electrical device cover is also disclosed including placing the convertible electrical device cover in an operative position over an electrical device so that an adapter plate may be located between the electrical device and a rear side of a base plate.

This application is a continuation of the earlier patent applicationentitled “Convertible Electrical Device Cover and Method for InstallingSame”, Ser. No. 10/881,288, filed Jun. 29, 2004, now pending, which is acontinuation of the earlier patent application entitled “ConvertibleElectrical Device Cover and Method for Installing Same”, Ser. No.10/700,737, filed Nov. 3, 2003, now pending, which is a continuation ofan earlier patent application entitled “Convertible Electrical DeviceCover and Method for Installing Same”, Ser. No. 09/948,920, filed Sep.7, 2001, U.S. Pat. No. 6,642,453, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention generally relates to covers for electrical devices, andmore specifically relates to a convertible electrical device cover andmethod for installing same.

2. Background Art

Electrical devices used in conjunction with electrical device boxes varyand include electrical outlets (both standard and ground fault currentinterrupts), light switches (both toggle and rocker plates), rounds, andcable television and/or telephone ports. Conventional covers forelectrical device boxes are designed to try and prevent inadvertentaccess to the electrical conductive elements of electrical devices andto hide associated wiring. Each type of electrical device requiresdifferent dimensioned access openings in a cover to accommodate it.However, conventional covers usually are non-convertible in theirdesign, and therefore, each electrical device requires a different typeof conventional cover configured for it. Moreover, conventional coversusually are not capable of use with both single-gang and/or double-gangelectrical device configurations. Thus, to install or service electricaldevices, an electrician must carry several types of conventional coversto each site, which are time consuming and inefficient to install.

Another problem currently facing conventional covers may involve safetyissues. For safety, the electrical device should at least be flush withaccess openings in plastic covers, and the electrical device shouldprotrude through access openings in metal covers. Many conventionalcovers and related cover assemblies may be unsafe based on this fact.For example, some cover assemblies are designed to have a base separatean insert from the electrical device. Such a cover assembly may beunsafe if the thickness of the base is too great, the electrical devicemay not protrude far enough to be flush with or extend through theplastic or metal cover access openings respectively.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, what is needed is an electrical device cover that overcomesthe drawbacks of conventional non-convertible covers, such as theinability of safely protecting electrical devices in varyingorientations and in a variety of styles and sizes, through a cover thatmay interchangeably and safely accommodate virtually all commonlyencountered electrical devices used in conjunction with electricaldevice boxes. The invention has the advantage of being able to solvethese problems through a convertible electrical device cover that isadaptable to safely accommodate a plurality of electrical devices in aplurality of orientations.

The convertible electrical device cover includes a base plate configuredto safely accommodate an electrical device. The base plate may furtherinclude at least one removable tab that, upon removal, allows conversioninto or formation of at least one access opening that is configured toaccommodate at least one electrical device. In an embodiment, the baseplate may include a pair of removable tabs that, upon removal, allowconversion into or formation of a pair of access openings for receivinga duplex electrical outlet. A removable center tab that separates thepair of access openings, as well as four corner tabs, may also beincluded in the embodiment. The center and corner tabs may be removed toform an access opening for receiving a ground fault current interrupteroutlet. Additionally, a pair of flanking tabs forming portions of thepair of access openings may be included as well in the embodiment, whichmay also be removed to form a larger access opening. Therefore, the baseplate may be a “blank” comprising a continuous network of removabletabs, the removal of which may convert the base plate to accommodate aplurality of electrical devices.

The convertible electrical device cover also includes an adapter plateconfigured to safely accommodate an electrical device. The adapter platemay be located between the electrical device and a rear side of the baseplate when the convertible electrical device cover is placed in anoperative position over the electrical device. Alternatively, the baseplate may be located between the electrical device and a rear side ofthe adapter plate when the convertible electrical device cover is placedin an operative position over the electrical device. In either of thesealternative embodiments, a front face of the electrical device may be atleast flush with a front side of the adapter plate, thereby ensuring asafer operating condition. In another embodiment, the adapter plate maybe configured to abut the base plate on all sides of a larger accessopening formed by removal of the pair of removable tabs and the center,corner, and flanking removable tabs of the exemplary base plateembodiment generally described above.

The adapter plate may further include at least one removable tab that,upon removal, allows conversion into or formation of at least one accessopening that is configured to accommodate at least one electricaldevice. In an embodiment, the adapter plate may include features similarto the pair of removable tabs and the removable center, corner, andflanking tabs of the exemplary base plate embodiment generally describedabove. In another adapter plate embodiment, the adapter plate mayinclude a removable tab that, upon removal, allows conversion into orformation of an access opening configured to accommodate a toggleswitch. A substantially circular removable tab defining the accessopening may also be included in the embodiment. The substantiallycircular removable tab may be removed to form a substantially circularaccess opening for receiving a round outlet. A substantially annularremovable tab encompassing the substantially circular removable tab maybe included as well in the embodiment, which may be removed to form alarger substantially circular access opening for receiving a largerround outlet. Therefore, the adapter plate may be a “blank” comprising acontinuous network of removable tabs, the removal of which may convertthe adapter plate to accommodate a plurality of electrical devices.

The convertible electrical device cover may further include an engagingmechanism. When a convertible electrical device cover is placed in anoperative position over an electrical device, the engaging mechanism maybe configured to either removably couple a front side of the adapterplate to a rear side of the base plate facing the electrical device, orremovably couple a rear side of the adapter plate to a front side of thebase plate, so that a front face of the electrical device may be held inat least a flush engagement with the front side of the adapter plate.The engaging mechanism may also be configured to position the adapterplate to accommodate an electrical device positioned in a plurality oforientations.

In another embodiment, the engaging mechanism may include opposingprotrusions on a rear side of the base plate facing the electricaldevice, the opposing protrusions defining receiving notches positionedinwardly toward one another. Pins may also be provided that may beremovably coupled to and extend outwardly from opposing sides of theadapter plate, the pins configured to removably couple into thereceiving notches defined in the opposing protrusions so that a frontside of the adapter plate may be removably coupled to a rear side of thebase plate and a front face of the electrical device may be held in atleast a flush engagement with the front side of the adapter plate.

In yet another embodiment, the engaging mechanism may include a recess.The recess may be defined in a rear side of a base plate facing anelectrical device so that a front side of an adapter plate may beremovably coupled into the recess, thereby holding a front face of theelectrical device in at least a flush engagement with the front side ofan adapter plate. Alternatively, the recess may be defined in a frontside of a base plate so that a rear side of an adapter plate may beremovably coupled into the recess and a front face of the electricaldevice may be held in at least a flush engagement with the front side ofan adapter plate.

In still another embodiment, the engaging mechanism may includeelectrical device box screws and opposing top and bottom key holes thatextend fully through the adapter plate and that align with underlyingopposing top and bottom key holes in the base plate. The electricaldevice box screws may extend through the key holes in both the adapterand base plates and into the electrical device box screws holes so thata rear side of the adapter plate may be removably coupled to a frontside of the base plate and a front face of the electrical device may beheld in at least a flush engagement with the front side of the adapterplate.

The invention also includes a method for installing a convertibleelectrical device cover according to the present invention. Generally,the installation method may include the step of placing the convertibleelectrical device cover in an operative position over an electricaldevice so as to locate an adapter plate between the electrical deviceand a rear side of a base plate. Alternatively, the installation methodmay include the steps of: removing at least one removable tab of a baseplate that is configured to accommodate at least one electrical device,thereby converting the base plate to accommodate at least one electricaldevice; removing at least one removable tab of an adapter plate that isconfigured to accommodate at least one electrical device, therebyconverting the adapter plate to accommodate the at least one electricaldevice; and placing the convertible electrical device cover in anoperative position over an electrical device so as to locate a baseplate between the electrical device and a rear side of an adapter plate.In either of these alternative installation method embodiments, a frontface of the electrical device may be at least flush with a front side ofthe adapter plate, thereby ensuring a safer operating condition.

The alternative installation method embodiments may further include thesteps of: either utilizing an engaging mechanism to removably couple afront side of an adapter plate to a rear side of a base plate facing theelectrical device, or utilizing an engaging mechanism to removablycouple a rear side of an adapter plate to a front side of a base plate,so that a front face of the electrical device may be held in at least aflush engagement with the front side of the adapter plate; and/orutilizing an engaging mechanism to position an adapter plate toaccommodate a plurality of orientations of an electrical device.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will beapparent from the following more particular description of embodimentsof the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention and embodiments will hereinafter be described inconjunction with the appended drawings, where like designations denotelike elements, and:

FIG. 1 is a rear view of a convertible electrical device cover of thepresent invention illustrating an adapter plate on a rear side of a baseplate, the convertible electrical device cover for a single-gangelectrical device configuration;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of a convertible electrical device cover of thepresent invention illustrating an adapter plate on a rear side of a baseplate, the convertible electrical device cover for a two-gang electricaldevice configuration;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of a base plate of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a rear view of a base plate of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a rear view of a base plate of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is perspective view illustrating the placement of an adapterplate, with respect to an electrical device and a base plate, when aconvertible electrical device cover of the present invention is to beplaced in an operative position over the electrical device;

FIG. 9 is partially broken away side view of a convertible electricaldevice cover of the present invention placed in an operative positionover an electrical device, thereby illustrating that a front face of theelectrical device may protrude far enough to at least be flush with afront side of an adapter plate;

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of a convertible electrical devicecover of the present invention illustrating an adapter plate on a rearside of a base plate;

FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of a convertible electrical devicecover of the present invention illustrating an adapter plate in a recessin a rear side of a base plate;

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of a convertible electrical devicecover of the present invention illustrating an adapter plate on a frontside of a base plate; and

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of a convertible electrical devicecover of the present invention illustrating an adapter plate in a recessin a front side of a base plate.

DESCRIPTION OT THE INVENTION

Generally, a convertible electrical device cover adaptable to safelyaccommodate a plurality of electrical devices in a plurality oforientations is provided. The convertible electrical device cover mayinterchangeably, yet safely, accommodate virtually all commonlyencountered styles and sizes of electrical devices used in conjunctionwith electrical device boxes. The convertible electrical device coverincludes a base plate and an adapter plate, both configured to safelyaccommodate an electrical device. When the convertible electrical devicecover is placed in an operative position over the electrical device,either the adapter plate may be located between the electrical deviceand a rear side of the base plate facing the electrical device, or thebase plate may be located between an electrical device and a rear sideof the adapter plate, so that a front face of the electrical device maybe at least flush with a front side of the adapter plate.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, 4, and 6-13 specifically, convertible electricaldevice cover 100 includes base plate 110 with front and rear sides thatis configured to safely accommodate an electrical device. Base plate 110may be generally substantially rectangular (e.g. base plate 110 of FIGS.1, 4, 6-13 for a single-gang electrical device configuration) orsubstantially square (e.g. base plate 110 of FIG. 2 for a two-gangelectrical device configuration). However, other polygonal, circular,and the like base plate 150 shapes are within the scope of thisinvention.

Base plate 110 may further include at least one removable tab that, uponremoval, allows conversion into or formation of at least one accessopening that is configured to accommodate at least one electricaldevice. Thus, base plate 110 may be a “blank” comprising a continuousnetwork of removable tabs, the removal of which may convert base plate110 to accommodate a plurality of electrical devices. Alternatively,base plate 110 may include at least one access opening that isconfigured to safely accommodate at least one electrical device. Ineither of these alternative embodiments, the at least one access openingof base plate 110 may be generally substantially rectangular orsubstantially square, although other polygonal, circular, and the likeshapes are within the scope of this invention, and the at least oneaccess opening may be of sufficient size to accommodate one or moreelectrical devices in a plurality of styles and orientations. Forexample, base plate 110 with the at least one access opening may beconfigured to accommodate at least two electrical devices, such as inthe two-gang electrical device configuration of convertible electricaldevice cover 200 in FIG. 2.

Turning to FIGS. 4, 6, and 7, base plate configurations 400, 600, and700 illustrate an embodiment of base plate 110. Referring to base plateconfiguration 400 in FIG. 4, base plate 110 may include a pair ofremovable tabs (not shown) that, upon removal, allow conversion into orformation of a pair of access openings 130 for receiving a duplexelectrical outlet for example. Alternatively, base plate 110 may alreadyinclude access openings 130 for receiving a duplex electrical outlet.Removable center tab 114 separating and forming portions of accessopenings 130 may be included, along with removable corner tabs 116 alsoforming portions of access openings 130. Additionally, removableflanking tabs 120, also forming portions of access openings 130, may beincluded as well. As depicted in base plate configuration 600 in FIG. 6,removable center tab 114 and removable corner tabs 116 may be removedalong grooves 118 as desired to form access opening 132 for receiving aground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet for example. Removableflanking tabs 120 may also be removed along grooves 118 to form largeraccess opening 134 for receiving adapter plate 150, as depicted in baseplate configuration 700 in FIG. 7.

Not withstanding the foregoing, many other combinations of removabletabs may be defined by base plate 110 according to the presentinvention, the removal of which may convert base plate 110 toaccommodate a plurality of electrical devices. For example, base plate110 may include removable tabs that yield access openings to receive arocker-type light switch, a modular phone jack, a cable televisionoutlet, or other electrical device. Additionally, the present inventionmay provide base plate 110 to be extremely versatile, such as in theco-pending patent application to Shotey et al. entitled “UNIVERSAL COVERPLATE,” Ser. No. 09/657,352, filed Sep. 7, 2000, which is incorporatedherein by reference. Thus, base plate 110 may include sets of removabletabs that are configured to form access openings to receive a variety ofelectrical devices. The tab sets are bounded by tab set periphery linesthat may intersect each other, and the resulting access openings arebounded by access opening periphery lines that may intersect each other.Tab sets and potential access openings may overlap or they may includeother tab sets or potential access openings. Also, any of severaldifferent combinations of the tab sets described in the previouslyincorporated reference may be provided within base plate 110. Thus, forexample, a top duplex tab set, a bottom duplex tab set, a light switchtab set, a small single round tab set, a larger single round tab set,and a GFCI tab set may all be provided together within base plate 110.Thus, the present invention may provide a large variety of possible baseplate 110 configurations without requiring a user to stock severaldifferent electrical device covers.

In FIGS. 4 and 6, the pair of removable tabs (not shown) and removabletabs 114, 116, and 120 are connected to base plate 110 by grooves 118(shown by dark lines). Grooves 118 define the pair of removable tabs(not shown) and removable tabs 114, 116, and 120 since removal of thepair of removable tabs (not shown) and tabs 114, 116, and 120 may beaccomplished by breaking the material along grooves 118. By applicationof impact force, prying, or the like to a location anywhere within oradjacent to grooves 118, the pair of removable tabs (not shown) andremovable tabs 114, 116, and 120 may be removed as desired. Thedimensions and shape of grooves 118 may vary depending on the materialused for the pair of removable tabs (not shown) and tabs 114, 116, and120 and base plate 110. For example, referring to FIG. 5, if base plate110, the pair of removable tabs (not shown), and tabs 114, 116, and 120are made from a polymer such as polycarbonate, grooves 118 may includefront grooves 117 extending inwardly from the front side of base plate110 and an opposing rear groove 119 extending inwardly from the rearside of base plate 110. Alternatively, the pair of removable tabs (notshown) and removable tabs 114, 116, and 120 may be connected byconnecting tabs or snap-in connections for example in place of grooves118. As shown in FIG. 5, the front grooves 117 overlap at least aportion of the rear grooves 119, but the innermost groove peaks of boththe front and rear grooves 117 and 119 are offset from each other inthis embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 10-13, base plate 110 definesvarious holes for receiving mounting screws that may be utilized tofacilitate placing convertible electrical device cover 100 in anoperative position over the electrical device. Different holes may beused depending on the configuration of the holes to which base plate 110will be secured. Mounting holes are generally sized and configured toconform to the standards for electrical devices and boxes. Each of thesealternate mounting access openings are provided for user convenience andto provide a high degree of latitude in the way base plate 110 may beattached to electrical devices. One or more of the mounting options maybe used at any given time, with the goal being to provide the user witha maximum of convenience and choice. Any combination of the mountingholes mentioned in this paragraph or below may be included or excludedfrom a particular embodiment of the invention without departing from theinvention's scope.

Therefore, base plate 110 may define top and bottom key holes 170. Eachkey hole 170 may include a head hole that extends fully through baseplate 110. The head hole may be sized to receive a head of a fastenersuch as mounting screw 196 of FIG. 8. A shank slot also extends fullythrough base plate 110 and extends to the side from the head hole. Theshank slot may be sized so that it may receive a shank of a fastenersuch as mounting screw 196 of FIG. 8, but so that it cannot receive thehead thereof. The shank slot may be bounded on either side by ashoulder.

Referring to FIG. 8, key holes 170 may be used so that mounting screw196 or other fastener may be partially turned into each electricaldevice box hole. Base plate 110 may then be oriented so that each headhole of each key hole 170 may be aligned with a corresponding mountingscrew 196 head. Base plate 110 may then be pushed toward the electricaldevice box holes so that each mounting screw 196 head extends through acorresponding head hole. Base plate 110 may then be slid to the left sothat each shank slot receives the shank of the corresponding mountingscrew 196. Each mounting screw 196 may then be turned farther into theelectrical device box hole until the head of mounting screw 196 snuglyabuts the shoulder of the corresponding key hole 170. Base plate 110 maybe easily removed by partially loosening each mounting screw 196,sliding base plate 110 to the right so that the head of each mountingscrew 196 aligns with the corresponding head hole, and removing baseplate 110 so that each mounting screw 196 head slides through acorresponding head hole. Thus, by using key holes 170, base plate 110may be mounted and removed without fully removing the mounting screws196 from the electrical device box holes.

Base plate 110 also may define box screw hole tabs 174. Box screw holetabs 174 may comprise thinned areas of base plate 110 and may be locatedon a line parallel to the shorter sides of base plate 110 andapproximately passing through key holes 170. Thus, box screw hole tabs174 may be located one on either side of keyhole 170 and substantiallyequidistant from a head hole of key hole 170. If base plate 110 has twokey holes 170, a pair of box screw hole tabs 174 will preferentially belocated one on either side of both key holes 170, producing theconfigurations shown. The thickness of base plate 110 at box screw holetabs 174 may be approximately half or a quarter of its thicknesselsewhere, making it possible to use a sharp instrument such as a nailto punch through the material of base plate 110 at the location of boxscrew hole tabs 174, thus creating box screw mounting holes at eachlocation.

Different device screw holes may be utilized depending on theconfiguration of base plate 110. Thus, removable center tab 114 of baseplate 110 may define center mounting screw hole 178 in the duplexconfiguration of base plate 110 in FIGS. 2, 4, 8, 10-13, which also maybe bordered by protrusions 115 (as depicted in FIG. 4) that prevent baseplate from warping when a screw is used with center mounting screw hole178. GFCI mounting holes 172 may be used to mount base plate 110 on aGFCI outlet. GFCI mounting holes 172 may be centered substantially onthe longitudinal axis of base plate 110 adjacent to key holes 170. Otherconfigurations of mounting holes may also be used with base plate 110 ofthe present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2 and 8-13 specifically, convertible electricaldevice cover 100 includes adapter plate 150 with front and rear sidesthat is configured to safely accommodate an electrical device. Adapterplate 150 may be substantially rectangular (e.g. adapter plate 150 ofFIGS. 2 and 12 for a two-gang electrical device configuration and asingle-gang electrical device configuration respectively) orsubstantially square (e.g. adapter plate 150 of FIGS. 1, 8, 10-11, and13 for a single-gang electrical device configuration). However, otherpolygonal, circular, and the like adapter plate 150 shapes are withinthe scope of this invention.

Adapter plate 150 may further include at least one removable tab that,upon removal, allows conversion into or formation of at least one accessopening that is configured to accommodate at least one electricaldevice. Thus, adapter plate 150 may be a “blank” comprising a continuousnetwork of removable tabs, the removal of which may convert adapterplate 150 to accommodate a plurality of electrical devices.Alternatively, adapter plate 150 may include at least one access openingthat is configured to safely accommodate at least one electrical device.In either of these alternative embodiments, the at least one accessopening of adapter plate 110 may be generally substantially rectangularor substantially square, although other polygonal, circular, and thelike shapes are within the scope of this invention, and the at least oneaccess opening may be of sufficient size to accommodate one or moreelectrical devices in a plurality of styles and orientations. Forexample, adapter plate 150 with the at least one access opening may beconfigured to accommodate at least two electrical devices, such as inthe two-gang electrical device configuration of convertible electricaldevice cover 200 in FIG. 2.

In another embodiment of the invention, adapter plate 150 may beconfigured to abut base plate 110 of FIGS. 7-8 on all sides of largeraccess opening 134 formed by removal of the pair of removable tabs andcenter, corner, and flanking removable tabs 114, 116, and 120respectively along grooves 118. However, adapter plate 150 may beutilized with any base plate 110 access opening configuration. Forexample, adapter plate 150 may also be used with base plate portion 600of FIG. 6 as well.

Turning to FIGS. 1, 2, 8, and 10-13, adapter plate 150 configurationsillustrate various embodiments of adapter plate 150. Referring to FIGS.2, 8, and 10-13, an embodiment of adapter plate 150 may include a pairof removable tabs (not shown) that, upon removal, allow conversion intoor formation of pair of access openings 130 for receiving a duplexelectrical outlet for example. Alternatively, an embodiment of adapterplate 150 may already include access openings 130 for receiving a duplexelectrical outlet. Removable center tab 114 separating and formingportions of access openings 130 may be included, along with removablecorner tabs 116 also forming portions of access openings 130. Removablecenter tab 114 and removable corner tabs 116 may be removed alonggrooves 118 as desired to form access opening 132 for receiving a GFCIoutlet.

In FIGS. 2, 8, and 10-13, the pair of removable tabs (not shown) andremovable tabs 114 and 116 are connected to adapter plate 150 by grooves118 (shown by dark lines). Grooves 118 define the pair of removable tabs(not shown) and removable tabs 114 and 116 since removal of the pair ofremovable tabs (not shown) and removable tabs 114 and 116 may beaccomplished by breaking the material along grooves 118. By applicationof impact force, prying, or the like to a location anywhere within oradjacent to grooves 118, the pair of removable tabs (not shown) andremovable tabs 114 and 116 may be removed as desired. The dimensions andshape of grooves 118 may vary depending on the material used for adapterplate 150 and the pair of removable tabs (not shown) and tabs 114 and116. Alternatively, the pair of removable tabs (not shown) and removabletabs 114 and 116 may be connected by connecting tabs or snap-inconnections for example in place of grooves 118.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an embodiment of adapter plate 150 mayinclude a removable tab that, upon removal, allows conversion into orformation of access opening 160 configured to accommodate a toggleswitch for example. Alternatively, an embodiment of adapter plate 150may already include access opening 160 configured to accommodate atoggle switch. Substantially circular removable tab 162 forming accessopening 160 may also be included and may be removed along connectingtabs 168 to form a substantially circular access opening for receiving around outlet for example. Substantially annular removable tabs 164 mayencompass substantially circular removable tab 162. Substantiallyannular cut lines 166 successively separate substantially annularremovable tabs 164 from one another and substantially circular removabletab 162. Substantially annular cut lines 166 may be apertures thatextend through adapter plate 150. Substantially annular removable tabs164 may be removed along connecting tabs 168 to form successively largersubstantially circular access openings for receiving successively largerround outlets.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, removable tabs 162 and 164 are connected to adapterplate 150 by connecting tabs 168. Connecting tabs 168 define removabletabs 162 and 164 since removal of tabs 162 and 164 may be accomplishedby breaking the material along connecting tabs 168. By application ofimpact force, prying, or the like to a location anywhere within oradjacent to connecting tabs 168, removable tabs 162 and 164 may beremoved as desired. The dimensions and shape of connecting tabs 168 mayvary depending on the material used for tabs 162 and 164 and adapterplate 150. Alternatively, removable tabs 162 and 164 may be connected bysnap-in connections or grooves for example in place of connecting tabs168.

Not withstanding the foregoing, many other combinations of removabletabs may be defined by adapter plate 150 according to the presentinvention, the removal of which may convert adapter plate 150 toaccommodate a plurality of electrical devices. For example, adapterplate 150 may include removable tabs that yield access openings toreceive a rocker-type light switch, a modular phone jack, a cabletelevision outlet, or other electrical device. Additionally, the presentinvention may provide adapter plate 150 to be extremely versatile, suchas in the co-pending patent application to Shotey et al. entitled“UNIVERSAL COVER PLATE,” Ser. No. 09/657,352, filed Sep. 7, 2000, whichis again incorporated herein by reference. Thus, according to thisincorporated reference, adapter plate 150 may include sets of removabletabs that are configured to form access openings to receive a variety ofelectrical devices. The tab sets are bounded by tab set periphery linesthat may intersect each other, and the resulting access openings arebounded by access opening periphery lines that may intersect each other.Tab sets and potential access openings may overlap or they may includeother tab sets or potential access openings. Also, any of severaldifferent combinations of the tab sets described in the previouslyincorporated reference may be provided within adapter plate 150. Thus,for example, a top duplex tab set, a bottom duplex tab set, a lightswitch tab set, a small single round tab set, a larger single round tabset, and a GFCI tab set may all be provided together within adapterplate 150. Thus, the present invention may provide a large variety ofpossible adapter plate 150 configurations without requiring a user tostock several different electrical device covers.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, 8, and 10-13, adapter plate 150 may definevarious holes for receiving mounting screws that may be utilized tofacilitate placing convertible electrical device cover 100 in anoperative position over the electrical device. Different holes may beused depending on the configuration of the holes to which adapter plate150 will be secured. Mounting holes are generally sized and configuredto conform to the standards for electrical devices. Each of thesealternate mounting holes are provided for user convenience and toprovide a high degree of latitude in the way adapter plate 150 may beattached to electrical devices. One or more of the mounting options maybe used at any given time, with the goal being to provide the user witha maximum of convenience and choice. Any combination of the mountingholes mentioned in this paragraph or below may be included or excludedfrom a particular embodiment of the invention without departing from itsscope.

Therefore, adapter plate 150 may define different device screw holesdepending on the configuration of adapter plate 150. Thus, removablecenter tab 114 of adapter plate 150 may define center mounting screwhole 178 in the duplex configuration of adapter plate 150 in FIGS. 2 and8-13. Adapter plate 150 may also define mounting screw holes 176 in theswitch and round configurations of adapter plate 150 in FIGS. 1 and 2.Other configurations of mounting holes may also be used with adapterplate 150 of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 12 for example,adapter plate 150 may define top and bottom key holes 170, as previouslydescribed, that extend fully through adapter plate 150 and that alignwith underlying opposing top and bottom key holes 170 in base plate 110.

When convertible electrical device cover 100 is placed in an operativeposition over an electrical device, adapter plate 150 may be locatedbetween the electrical device and a rear side of base plate 110 facingthe electrical device (e.g. FIGS. 8-9 and 10-11—but not showing theelectrical device). Alternatively, when convertible electrical devicecover 100 is placed in an operative position over the electrical device,base plate 110 may be located between the electrical device and a rearside of adapter plate 150 (e.g. FIGS. 12-13—but not showing theelectrical device). In either of these embodiments, a front face of theelectrical device may be at least flush with a front side of adapterplate 150 (e.g. FIG. 9), thereby ensuring a safer operating condition.

Moreover, turning now to FIGS. 1-4 and 6-13 generally, convertibleelectrical device cover 100 may also include an engaging mechanism. Theengaging mechanism may be configured to position adapter plate 150 toaccommodate an electrical device positioned in a plurality oforientations, such as a substantially vertical orientation and at leasta substantially horizontal orientation for example. This allows a singleadapter plate 150 to be used in either orientation and therefore, may beeconomical and efficient. It may be appreciated however that a similaradvantage could be obtained by providing two separate adapter plates 150that could be positioned in base plate 110 in only either thesubstantially vertical orientation or the substantially horizontalorientation. Thus, one of adapter plates 150 may have openings for ahorizontally oriented electrical device and the other would haveopenings for a vertically oriented electrical device, but the same baseplate 110 could be used. This would not be as advantageous, but it wouldprovide the ability to accommodate both types of electrical deviceorientations with mostly the same components.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-4 and 6-13 generally, the engaging mechanismmay further be configured to removably couple a front side of adapterplate 150 to a rear side of base plate 110 facing the electrical device.Alternatively, the engaging mechanism may further be configured toremovably couple a rear side of adapter plate 150 to a front side ofbase plate 110. In either of these embodiments, a front face of theelectrical device may be held in at least a flush engagement with thefront side of adapter plate 150.

Referring to FIGS. 12-13 specifically, one embodiment of an engagingmechanism that is configured to removably couple a rear side of adapterplate 150 to a front side of base plate 110 may comprise at least oneelectrical device screw and at least one electrical device screw holeextending through adapter plate 150, wherein the at least one electricaldevice screw removably couples adapter plate 150 to the electricaldevice, thereby squashing base plate 110 between the rear side ofadapter plate 150 and the electrical device. For example, as depicted inFIGS. 12-13, the at least one electrical device screw and the at leastone electrical device screw hole could include a duplex electricaloutlet screw and a duplex electrical outlet screw hole 178. As anotherexample, the at least one electrical device screw and the at least oneelectrical device screw hole could include at least two switch screwsand at least two switch screw holes 176 as in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Referring to FIG. 12, another embodiment of an engaging mechanism thatis configured to removably couple a rear side of adapter plate 150 to afront side of base plate 110 may comprise electrical device box mountingscrews and opposing top and bottom key holes 170 that extend fullythrough adapter plate 150 and that align with underlying opposing topand bottom key holes 170 in base plate 110. Key holes 170 may be used sothat a mounting screw or other fastener may be partially turned intoeach electrical device box hole. A rear side of adapter plate 150 may beremovably coupled to a front side of base plate 110 in the followingmanner. Base plate 110 and adapter plate 150 may be oriented so thateach head hole of each key hole 170 may be aligned with a correspondingmounting screw head. Base plate 110 and adapter plate 150 may then bepushed toward the electrical device box holes so that each mountingscrew head extends through a corresponding head holes, and the processcan continue in the same manner as described previously in conjunctionwith key holes 170 of base plate 110 and in reference to FIG. 8, therebysquashing base plate 110 between adapter plate 150 and the electricaldevice. Thus, by using key holes 170, base plate 110 and adapter plate150 may not only be mounted and removed without fully removing themounting screws 196 from the electrical device box holes, but a frontface of the electrical device may be held in at least a flush engagementwith the front side of adapter plate 150.

Referring to FIG. 2 specifically, an embodiment of an engaging mechanismthat is configured to removably couple a front side of adapter plate 150to a rear side of base plate 110 may comprise at least one electricaldevice screw, at least one electrical device screw hole extendingthrough adapter plate 150, at least one adapter plate screw, and atleast one adapter plate screw hole extending through adapter plate 150.The at least one electrical device screw removably couples adapter plate150 to the electrical device and the at least one adapter plate screwremovably couples adapter plate 150 to the rear side of base plate 110.As described previously, a first part of this engaging mechanism mayinclude a duplex electrical outlet screw and a duplex electrical outletscrew hole 178 as in FIGS. 2, 8, and 10-13 and/or at least two switchscrews and at least two switch screw holes 176 as in FIGS. 1 and 2. Asthe second part of this engaging mechanism, the at least one adapterplate screw hole may comprise adapter plate screw holes 156 in thecorners of adapter plate 150 as in FIG. 2, and corresponding adapterplate screws could removably couple adapter plate 150 to correspondingunderlying portions of the rear side of base plate 110 (depicted asdashed lines).

Referring to FIGS. 1-4 and 6-13, another embodiment of the engagingmechanism that is configured to removably couple a front side of adapterplate 150 to a rear side of base plate 110 may include opposingprotrusions 142 on a rear side of base plate 110 extending outwardly toa predetermined height. The thickness of adapter plate 150 may besubstantially the same as the predetermined height of opposingprotrusions 142. When key holes 170 are utilized to mount base plate 110to an electrical box, opposing protrusions 142 prevent base plate 110from warping. Additionally, opposing protrusions 142 may define recessesin top sides of opposing protrusions 142. Such recesses also preventbase plate 110 from warping away from a flush engagement with theelectrical box by receiving screw heads.

Specifically, opposing protrusions 142 defining receiving notches 144positioned inwardly toward one another. Pins 152 may also be providedthat may be removably coupled to and extend outwardly from opposingsides of adapter plate 150. Pins 152 are configured to removably coupleinto receiving notches 144 defined in opposing protrusions 142 so that afront side of adapter plate 150 may be removably coupled to a rear sideof base plate 110 and a front face of the electrical device may be heldin at least a flush engagement with a front side of adapter plate 150.Receiving notches 144 may be located off-center of a center lineparallel to longer sides of base plate 110. Moreover, additionalreceiving notch 146 may be included, it being defined in one of opposingprotrusions 142. Likewise, additional pin 154 may be included,additional pin 154 removably coupled to and extending outwardly from aside of adapter plate 150. Additional pin 154 may be configured toremovably couple into additional receiving notch 146, thereby properlypositioning adapter plate 150 relative to opposing protrusions 142.

Yet another embodiment of the engaging mechanism that is configured toremovably couple a front side of adapter plate 150 to a rear side ofbase plate 110 may include at least two opposing rails on the rear sideof base plate 110. Adapter plate 150 may be configured to be slidablyremovably coupled between the at least two opposing rails so that afront side of adapter plate 150 may be removably coupled to a rear sideof base plate 110 and a front face of the electrical device may be heldin at least a flush engagement with a front side of adapter plate 150.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 13 specifically, an embodiment of the engagingmechanism that is configured to either removably couple a front side ofadapter plate 150 to a rear side of base plate 110, or removably couplea rear side of adapter plate 150 to a front side of base plate 110, mayinclude recess 200 configured to removably couple adapter plate 150.Recess 200 may be defined in a rear side of base plate 110 facing anelectrical device so that a front side of adapter plate 150 may beremovably coupled into recess 200 and a front face of the electricaldevice may be held in at least a flush engagement with the front side ofadapter plate 150. Alternatively, recess 200 may be defined in a frontside of base plate 110 so that a rear side of adapter plate 150 may beremovably coupled into recess 200 and a front face of the electricaldevice may be held in at least a flush engagement with the front side ofadapter plate 150.

As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 generally, convertible electrical devicecover 100 may further include at least one removable hinge removablycoupled to and extending outwardly from base plate 110. The at least onehinge may be configured to pivotally couple with at least one hinge of aprotective housing. Useful to the present invention are the protectivehousings and hinges described in the patent to Shotey et al. entitled“UNIVERSAL COVER PLATE, COVER PLATE ASSEMBLY, AND RELATED METHODS,” U.S.Pat. No. 5,763,831, and in the co-pending patent application to Shoteyet al. entitled “UNIVERSAL COVER PLATE,” Ser. No. 09/657,352, filed Sep.7, 2000, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 specifically, base plate 110 may includetwo pairs of hinges 180, one pair attached to a short side of base plate110 and one pair attached to a long side of base plate 110. Hinges 180are designed to adapt to a variety of situations depending on thedirection in which the protective housing may be opened. For example,the protective housing may be rotated around an axis formed parallel toa short side of base plate 110. Were it more desirable to let theprotective housing, when in its open position, rest at either side ofbase plate 110, rather than let it rest above base plate 110, the axisof rotation could be located parallel to a long side of base plate 110,and hinges 180 located on that side would be used. Hinges 180 arefurther designed to be removable, once the choice of rotational axis hasbeen made, in the manners generally set forth in the previouslyincorporated references.

In practice, then, it would be typical for a user of the presentinvention to remove an unused pair of hinges and leave only that pair towhich the protective cover may be to be attached. On the other hand, ifthere were a possibility that the protective cover configuration wouldchange from time to time, raising the possibility of the alternate useof multiple pairs of hinges, each pair of hinges 180 could be left inplace to serve as pivotal attachment locations when needed. Furthermore,it should be understood that the hinge configuration shown in FIGS. 1and 2 are not the only possible configuration. Hinges 180 could beplaced on any combination of the four long and short sides of base plate110, singly or in pairs.

Convertible electrical device cover 110 may also include a protectivehousing, which may be particularly useful in outdoor settings where aweatherproof cover plate may be desired. Thus, the protective housingcould provide an opening for the passage of a cord extending from a pluginserted into an electrical outlet, for example, such that the plug mayremain in the outlet and the electrical device to which the other end ofthe plug and the cord are attached may remain in operation when theprotective housing is in its closed position, thereby affording a degreeof protection from the elements or other intrusions. The presentinvention may also provide a continuous flange 182 extending outwardlyand continuously along a periphery of base plate 150 as depicted inFIGS. 1-2, 4, and 6-13. Flange 182 may be configured to accommodate theprotective housing. That is, flange 182 may provide a seat for theprotective housing when in an operative position over the base plate.However, if the protective housing is not desired the present inventionmay allow for base plate 110 without a protective housing. Therefore,all hinges 180 and flange 182 could be removed if a protective housingis not needed, or alternatively base plate 110 may be manufactured freeof them.

Components of convertible electrical device cover 100 may be made fromany of many different types of materials. For example, base plate 110and adapter plate 150 may be made from weather-resistant, rigid,electrically non-conductive materials such as polycarbonate, polystyreneor other plastic materials known in the art. Base plate 110 and adapterplate 150 may also be made from corrosion-resistant metal, such as zinc,magnesium, or other metals known in the art. For example, aluminum mayalso be used, although aluminum is not particularly resistant tocorrosion in a salt water environment. Notwithstanding, base plate 110and adapter plate 150 may be made from other materials suitable forelectrical applications. The components of convertible electrical devicecover 100 may be manufactured separately and then assembled together.Base plate 110 and adapter plate 150 may be manufactured by injectionmolding, casting, milling, metal stamping, or the like. Base plate 110and adapter plate 150 may then be assembled together through aninstallation method as described below when convertible electricaldevice cover 100 is placed in an operative position over the electricaldevice.

Describing the installation and use of convertible electrical devicecover 100 further, a method for installing convertible electrical devicecover 100 may also be provided to safely accommodate a plurality ofelectrical devices in a plurality of orientations. As depicted in FIGS.8-9 for example, a first embodiment of the installation method mayinclude placing convertible electrical device cover 100 in an operativeposition over at least one electrical device so as to locate adapterplate 150 between the at least one electrical device and a rear side ofbase plate 110. As depicted in FIG. 9, placing the convertibleelectrical device cover 100 can further include holding at least onefront face of the at least one electrical device at least flush with afront side of adapter plate 150, thereby ensuring a safer operatingcondition.

The first installation method embodiment may further include removing atleast one removable tab of base plate 110, thereby converting base plate110 to accommodate the at least one electrical device. Specifically,removing at least one removable tab of base plate 110 can includeforming at least one access opening that is configured to accommodatethe at least one electrical device. For example, as depicted in FIGS. 4and 6, removing at least one removable tab of base plate 110 may includeremoving center removable tab 114 and corner removable tabs 116 formingpart of access openings 130 that are configured to accommodate a duplexelectrical outlet, thereby forming substantially rectangular accessopening 132 that is configured to accommodate a GFCI outlet.Additionally, removing center removable tab 114 and corner removabletabs 116 may also include removing a pair of removable tabs, therebyforming access openings 130. Moreover, as depicted in FIGS. 4 and 6-7,removing center removable tab 114 and corner removable tabs 116 may alsoinclude removing flanking removable tabs 120 forming part of pair ofaccess openings 130, thereby forming larger access opening. Then, asdepicted in FIG. 8, the first installation method embodiment may furtherinclude abutting adapter plate 150 to base plate 110 on all sides oflarger access opening 134.

The first installation method embodiment may still further includeremoving at least one removable tab of adapter plate 150, therebyconverting adapter plate 150 to accommodate the at least one electricaldevice. Specifically, removing at least one removable tab of adapterplate 150 may include forming at least one access opening that isconfigured to accommodate the at least one electrical device. Forexample, removing at least one removable tab of adapter plate 150 mayinclude removing center removable tab 114 and corner removable tabs 116forming part of access openings 130 that are configured to accommodate aduplex electrical outlet (the various removable tabs and access openingsdepicted in FIGS. 2, 8, and 10-13), thereby forming substantiallyrectangular access opening 132 that is configured to accommodate a GFCIoutlet. Additionally, removing center removable tab 114 and cornerremovable tabs 116 may also include removing a pair of removable tabs,thereby forming access openings 130.

As another example, removing at least one removable tab of adapter plate150 may further include removing substantially circular removable tab162 forming access opening 160 configured to accommodate a toggle switch(the removable tab and access opening depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2),thereby forming a substantially circular access opening that isconfigured to accommodate a round outlet. Additionally, removingsubstantially circular removable tab 162 may also include removing aremovable tab, thereby forming access opening 160 that is configured toaccommodate the toggle switch. Moreover, removing substantially circularremovable tab 162 may further include removing at least onesubstantially annular removable tab 164 encompassing at least a portionof substantially circular removable tab 162 (the removable tabs depictedin FIGS. 1 and 2), thereby forming at least one larger substantiallycircular access opening that is configured to accommodate at least onelarger round outlet.

The first installation method embodiment may further include the step ofutilizing an engaging mechanism to removably couple a front side ofadapter plate 150 to a rear side of base plate 110 so that adapter plate150 is located between the at least one electrical device and the rearside of base plate 110 when convertible electrical device cover 100 isplaced in an operative position over the at least one electrical device,and so that at least one front face of the at least one electricaldevice is held in at least a flush engagement with the front side ofadapter plate 150. Additionally, the step of utilizing an engagingmechanism may further include positioning adapter plate 150 toaccommodate the at least one electrical device positioned in a pluralityof orientations.

As partially depicted in FIGS. 12-13, a second embodiment of theinstallation method may include: removing at least one removable tab ofbase plate 110 that is configured to accommodate at least one electricaldevice, thereby converting base plate 110 to accommodate the at leastone electrical device; removing at least one removable tab of adapterplate 150 that is configured to accommodate at least one electricaldevice, thereby converting adapter plate 150 to accommodate the at leastone electrical device; and placing convertible electrical device cover100 in an operative position over at least one electrical device so asto locate base plate 110 between the at least one electrical device anda rear side of adapter plate 150. Placing the convertible electricaldevice cover 100 can further include holding at least one front face ofthe at least one electrical device at least flush with a front side ofadapter plate 150, thereby ensuring compliance with current electricalsafety standards.

Other than the just described distinctive steps, further possible stepsof the second installation method embodiment are similar to the possiblesteps of the first installation method embodiment as described above,the above description incorporated herein by reference to describe thefurther possible steps of the second installation method embodiment.Therefore, only one other different possible step between the twoinstallation method embodiments will be further described. Specifically,the second installation method embodiment may further include utilizingan engaging mechanism to removably couple a rear side of adapter plate150 to a front side of base plate 110 so that base plate 110 is locatedbetween the at least one electrical device and the rear side of adapterplate 110 when convertible electrical device cover 100 is placed in anoperative position over the at least one electrical device, and so thatat least one front face of the at least one electrical device is held inat least a flush engagement with the front side of adapter plate 150.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilledin the art that various changes in form and details may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Accordingly, unless otherwise specified, any components of theconvertible electrical device cover according to the present inventionindicated in the drawings or herein are given as an example of possiblecomponents and not as a limitation. Similarly, unless otherwisespecified, any steps or sequence of steps of the installation methodsaccording to the present invention indicated herein are given asexamples of possible steps or sequence of steps and not as limitations

1. A convertible electrical device cover plate comprising: asubstantially planar member having a first side opposing a second side;at least one removable tab integral with the planar member and connectedto adjacent portions of the substantially planar member by at least onegrooved connector, wherein the grooved connector comprises a groove inthe first side of the planar member and an opposing groove in the secondside of the planar member.
 2. The cover plate of claim 1, wherein thegroove on the first side overlaps at least a portion of the groove onthe second side, each of the first side groove and the second sidegroove having a groove peak, the first side groove peak being offsetfrom the second side groove peak.
 3. The cover plate of claim 1, whereinthe at least one removable tab comprises a thickness and the groove onthe first side of the planar member having a depth equal to between 40%and 50% of the thickness of the at least one removable tab.
 4. The coverplate of claim 1, wherein the at least one removable tab comprises athickness and the groove on the second side of the planar member havinga depth equal to between 20% and 40% of the thickness of the at leastone removable tab.
 5. The cover plate of claim 1, wherein the at leastone removable tab having a thickness and at least one of the groove onthe first side and the groove on the second side having a depth equal tobetween 20% and 50% of the thickness of the at least one removable tab.6. The cover plate of claim 1, wherein the at least one removable tabcomprises a plurality of removable tabs each connected to an adjacentremovable tab among the plurality of removable tabs through a groovedconnector.
 7. The cover plate of claim 6, wherein selective removal ofat least two of the removable tabs forms an electrical device aperturesized and shaped to receive one of a toggle switch, a single roundelectrical outlet, a duplex electrical outlet, and aground-fault-circuit interrupt electrical outlet.
 8. The cover plate ofclaim 1, further comprising a base configured for mounting on a wall,wherein the substantially planar member is configured for mounting tothe base as an adapter plate.
 9. The cover plate of claim 1, furthercomprising a base configured for mounting on a wall, wherein thesubstantially planar member is integral with the base.
 10. A convertibleelectrical device cover plate comprising: a base configured for mountingto an electrical outlet box, the base having a substantially planarmember with a first side opposing a second side; at least one removabletab integral with the planar member and connected to adjacent portionsof the substantially planar member by at least one grooved connector,wherein the grooved connector comprises a groove in the first side ofthe planar member and an opposing groove in the second side of theplanar member.
 11. The cover plate of claim 10, wherein the groove onthe first side overlaps at least a portion of the groove on the secondside, each of the first side groove and the second side groove having agroove peak, the first side groove peak being offset from the secondside groove peak.
 12. The cover plate of claim 10, wherein the at leastone removable tab comprises a thickness and the groove on the first sideof the planar member having a depth equal to between 40% and 50% of thethickness of the at least one removable tab.
 13. The cover plate ofclaim 10, wherein the at least one removable tab comprises a thicknessand the groove on the second side of the planar member having a depthequal to between 20% and 40% of the thickness of the at least oneremovable tab.
 14. The cover plate of claim 10, wherein the at least oneremovable tab comprises a thickness and at least one of the groove onthe first side and the groove on the second side having a depth equal tobetween 20% and 50% of the thickness of the at least one removable tab.15. The cover plate of claim 10, wherein the at least one removable tabcomprises a plurality of removable tabs each connected to an adjacentremovable tab among the plurality of removable tabs through a groovedconnector.
 16. The cover plate of claim 15, wherein selective removal ofat least two of the removable tabs forms an electrical device aperturesized and shaped to receive one of a toggle switch, a single roundelectrical outlet, a duplex electrical outlet, and a ground-faultcircuit interrupt electrical outlet.
 17. The cover plate of claim 10,further comprising a base configured for mounting on a wall, wherein thesubstantially planar member is configured for mounting to the base as anadapter plate.
 18. A convertible electrical device cover platecomprising: a base configured for mounting to an electrical outlet box;an adapter plate configured to removably couple to the base, the adapterplate having a substantially planar member with a first side opposing asecond side; at least one removable tab integral with the planar memberand connected to adjacent portions of the substantially planar member byat least one grooved connector, wherein the grooved connector comprisesa groove in the first side of the planar member and an opposing groovein the second side of the planar member.
 19. The cover plate of claim18, wherein the groove on the first side overlaps at least a portion ofthe groove on the second side, each of the first side groove and thesecond side groove having a groove peak, the first side groove peakbeing offset from the second side groove peak.
 20. The cover plate ofclaim 18, wherein the at least one removable tab having a thickness andat least one of the groove on the first side and the groove on thesecond side having a depth equal to between 20% and 50% of the thicknessof the at least one removable tab.